Fantasy Football: Week 12 running back rankings

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs over Washington Redskins linebacker Preston Smith (94) and safety DeAngelo Hall (23) on a 24 yard gain in the fourth quarter on November 19 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) celebrates his reception for eight yards in the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans on November 16 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Dion Jordan (95) and defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson (91) tackles Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman (26) for a loss of two-yards in the second quarter on November 20 at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. Photo by Jim Bryant/UPI | License Photo

Pittsburgh Steelers star Le'Veon Bell is still one of the best running backs in football. Last week he experienced a bit lighter workload than normal, but there is no need to panic as that was likely game-flow based. This week the Steelers face the Green Bay Packers, a united tied for fifth in rushing touchdowns allowed and allowing the tenth-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. Get ready to see a ton of handoffs, especially when the Steelers get a big lead.

What has gotten into New Orleans Saints rookie Alvin Kamara? Before the season began, you knew the Saints would run the ball more, but thought those carries would go to Mark Ingram and Adrian Peterson. Kamara was a spark even when Peterson was still in New Orleans. Now that Peterson is with the Arizona Cardinals, Kamara is an absolute star. He piled up 116 yards from scrimmage and a score in Week 11. He had 138 yards from scrimmage and a score in Week 10. In fact, Kamara has scored in four consecutive games for the Saints. He also has at least 76 yards from scrimmage in seven consecutive games. Kamara is not going away and he will be a producer for your fantasy squad down the stretch. He is a low-end RB1 for me this week against the Los Angeles Rams, a unit allowing the third-most fantasy points per game, third-most rushing scores and fifth-most rushing yards to opposing ball-carriers.

Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman is leading the backfield for his squad with Devonta Freeman on the shelf. He has a touchdown in three consecutive games and gets a generous Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense in Week 12. The Buccaneers are tied for allowing the fifth-most rushing touchdowns and have surrendered the 13th-most fantasy points per game to opposing rushers. Coleman is my No. 13 option for Week 12, making him a low-end RB1 in this matchup.

Minnesota Vikings running back Latavius Murray believed he had the chance to be the starter in the preseason and now he is the starter. Murray is coming off of his best performance of the season. Last week in a win against the Los Angeles Rams, Murray ran for 95 yards and two scores on just 15 carries, averaging 6.3 yards per tote. He is a great RB2 option for me again this week against the Detroit Lions, a unit allowing the second-most rushing touchdowns and sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. Murray is my No. 17 option.

LONGSHOTS

Washington Redskins rookie Samaje Perine is a low-end RB2 for me this week. Perine is also my top waiver wire addition for Week 12. Injuries to Rob Kelley and Chris Thompson have put Perine in the driver's seat in this backfield. Last week against the New Orleans Saints, Perine carried 23 times for 117 yards and a score. If that workload continues, this could be one of the best late-season additions for the 2017 fantasy football campaign. Perine is my No. 18 option for Week 12 with a matchup against the New York Giants, a unit that has allowed the fourth-most rushing yards to running backs in the NFL.

Week 12 Running Back Rankings

Dallas Cowboys running back Alfred Morris is a borderline RB2 in Week 12. Morris and the Cowboys are hosting the Los Angeles Chargers, a defense allowing the most rushing yards and fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. Start Morris with confidence in this matchup. He is my No. 21 option, based on workload alone.